Note 584 — Chapter XVII · GOVERNMENT IN THE HEROIC AGE.

Teutonic analogies occur, though they are not common. We may instance Bede's account (H. E. IV 12) of what took place after the death of Coenwalh, king of Wessex (about 673): acceperunt subreguli regnum gentis et diuisum inter se tenuerunt annis circiter X, after which deuictis atque amotis subregulis Caedualla suscepit imperium. The Saxon Chronicle certainly gives a different impression; and from Eddius, Vita Wilfridi, cap. 40, it appears that Centwine's authority was recognised at least to some extent. Reference may also be made to Procopius' statement (Goth. II 14) that—early in Justinian's reign—the Heruli slew their king, ἄλλο οὐδὲν ἐπενεγκότες ἢ ὅτι ἀβασίλευτοι τὸ λοιπὸν βούλονται εἶναι; but the interregnum was of short duration. Earlier cases may be found among the Cherusci and other peoples of western Germany during the first century—where it is to be noted that Tacitus' principes and regnum correspond to Bede's subreguli and imperium respectively. I cannot help thinking that much confusion has been introduced into early Greek history through failure to distinguish between kingship and lordship.